things."

When the Blotted Escutcheon had resumed his seat a Soiled Ermine
rose and said:

"Mr. Speaker, I have heard with profound attention and entire
approval the explanation of the honourable member, and wish to
offer a few remarks on my own behalf. I, too, have been foully
calumniated by our ancient enemy, the Infamous Falsehood, and I
wish to point out that I am made of the fur of the MUSTELA
MACULATA, which is dirty from birth."



The Ingenious Patriot



HAVING obtained an audience of the King an Ingenious Patriot pulled
a paper from his pocket, saying:

"May it please your Majesty, I have here a formula for constructing
armour-plating which no gun can pierce. If these plates are
adopted in the Royal Navy our warships will be invulnerable, and
therefore invincible. Here, also, are reports of your Majesty's
Ministers, attesting the value of the invention. I will part with
my right in it for a million tumtums."

After examining the papers, the King put them away and promised him
an order on the Lord High Treasurer of the Extortion Department for